Wild Things falter late, fall to River City
O’FALLON, Mo. – Danny Canela had six RBI and Washington gave up five unearned runs as the River City Rascals rallied to defeated the Wild Things, 9-5, Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Washington led 2-0 in the sixth inning before Canela hit a two-run double to tie the score. One inning later, Canela smacked a three-run double off the wall in right field and came around to score on a single that gave the Rascals a 6-2 lead.
The Wild Things pulled to within 6-5 when Sam Mende hit a three-run homer in the eighth. It was one of two home runs by Washington. Lee Orr opened the scoring with a solo homer in the second inning.
River City, however, scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, which included the ejection of Washington manager Bob Bozzuto.
Washington starting pitcher Matt Sergey allowed only two hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings. The Wild Things’ bullpen gave up seven hits and seven runs (three earned) in two innings.
River City has won four in a row.
Before the game, the Wild Things added an experienced shortstop and placed a starting pitcher on the suspended list.
Washington activated shortstop Jeudy Valdez, a 26-year-old veteran of nine professional seasons. Valdez had been on Washington’s suspended list while awaiting a work visa. To make room for Valdez on the active roster, the Wild Things placed right-handed pitcher Ryan Bores (0-1, 11.57) on the suspended list.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Valdez was signed as a 17-year-old by the San Diego Padres in 2006. He played eight years in the Padres’ system as a second baseman and shortstop, and played last year for the Chicago Cubs’ Class AA affiliate. Valdez played in the prestigious Arizona Fall League in 2012, was on the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster for more than two years and was a non-roster invitee to the Cubs’ major-league spring training last year.
Valdez has played in 802 professional games, including 311 in Class AA. His best season was in 2011, when he batted .295 and hit 15 home runs with 92 RBI for Lake Elsinore of the Class A California League.
Bores made two starts for Washington. He took a 5-1 lead into the seventh inning of his first start, May 17 against Schaumburg, but had a no-decision. He gave up nine runs (eight earned) in 3 1/3 innings during Washington’s 12-1 loss Friday at Normal.